Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) addressed the Senate on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict with Russia. During his remarks, Sen. Moran expressed approval for President Trump's decision to resume sending congressionally-authorized military resources to Ukraine.

"I was pleased to see President Trump say that his administration will resume sending weapons to Ukraine," Moran said. "This commitment is vital, ensuring that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to protect its people and its territory against ongoing aggression. America's security is closely linked to the stability of the free world. If Ukraine fails to repel Russia’s invasion, the consequences will extend far beyond Eastern Europe, threatening the safety, economic strength and global leadership of the United States of America."

Moran highlighted the significance of American resolve in supporting democratic partners and noted broader implications for global security if Russian advances are not checked.

"The United States must continue our resolute support for Ukraine, showing our adversaries that we are a reliable partner and that attacks on democracy will not go unanswered," he stated. "We need to prove, particularly after our withdrawal from Afghanistan, that our allies can rely on us and our adversaries should fear us."

According to Moran, President Trump signed an order authorizing renewed military assistance using congressional resources and administrative flexibility. The senator warned about possible repercussions if authoritarian regimes observe unchecked territorial expansion by force.

"If we allow a dictator to redraw borders by force, then what message does that send to other authoritarian regimes watching closely around the globe, including China? It sends a message of weakness, it invites further aggression and it threatens our allies and partners around the globe," he said.

He argued that failing to act could increase risks for NATO members and potentially involve greater costs both in resources and American lives.

"The cost of inaction will far outweigh the cost of action. If Putin is not stopped in Ukraine, the likelihood of a direct confrontation between Russia and a NATO ally dramatically increases. That would mean a far greater cost, not just in resources, but potentially in American lives."

Moran pointed out efforts at peace negotiations had not yielded results as "Putin has indicated...lack of interest." He praised Ukrainians' resilience as they defend their country.

"Our response to what we are seeing in Ukraine and across the globe should be to build more capacity and ensure that we have a resilient industrial base with the ability to handle all the possible threats the United States faces now and into the future."

He also cited economic benefits from aid packages: "Ninety percent of the aid we will provide also goes back directly into the American economy, expanding capacity and resources for our own defense industrial base and creating jobs right here at home. Expanding that industrial base is hugely important to the future, the well-being, [and] national security of our nation."

By supporting Ukraine militarily, Moran said U.S. forces replenish their stockpiles with advanced equipment while demonstrating leadership globally.

"President Trump also secured a recent agreement at the NATO Summit in which all members of the alliance agreed to increase defense spending from 2 percent to 5 percent by 2035. This commitment...will bolster our collective strength as an alliance..."

Moran concluded by reaffirming his position: "We need to make certain Ukraine has the equipment necessary to win a just and lasting peace...The United States must continue our resolute support for Ukraine..."

He thanked President Trump for his engagement: "Mr. President, I thank you for your engagement today and in the past, [for] things that you’ve secured [to] see that there’s a bright future for...Ukraine."